After becoming

Chapter 8

If not for their cold–heartedness, I might have been drained dry by them and eventually discarded. Their cruelty pushed me to become self–reliant.

“Oh, Nina, if this hotel is yours, why didn’t you tell us earlier?” Greta now approached me with a disingenuous smile. “Look at the misunderstanding we had just now. If you had told us you were the chair, we could have happily celebrated my son’s one–month birthday together.”

James nodded repeatedly. “Exactly, Nina. You kept this a secret too well. Come on, let’s just have a nice family gathering today. You don’t know how much we’ve missed you these past six months.”

“Really? Who was it just now that said I was disgusting, called me poor, and insisted on kicking me out? And who slapped me and called security to throw me out? Your way of expressing your longing is certainly unique, isn’t it?” I didn’t hold back, tearing off James and Greta’s hypocrisy.

Seeing this, Seamus quickly tried to mediate. “Nina, we’re all family. Why are you being so petty?” Melanie patted my hand gently and said soothingly, “Yes, it was all just a misunderstanding. We’re family. After all, blood is thicker than water. James and Greta were just joking. They wouldn’t have really kicked you out. Don’t be so sensitive.”

I looked at my so–called family, my voice resolute. “Do you not find your words laughable? You claim we’re family, but have you ever truly treated me as such?

“Before I went to prison, when I could make money and bring you benefits, you pretended to get along with me, showering me with your fake affection. But the moment I was released, knowing I might no longer be of any value, you heartlessly kicked me out. Did you ever consider that if I were penniless, I could end up on the streets, facing danger, or worse, dying?

“Maybe you did think about it, but you didn’t care. After all, to you, I was just a discarded tool, no longer useful. If something had happened to me, you’d probably have felt relieved, glad to be rid of a burden.

“Honestly, that night was harrowing for me. I couldn’t understand it. Even a dog that guards a home for years earns some affection. Why was I worth less than a dog to you? How could you be so cruelly pragmatic?

“When you kicked me out, you were ruthless. When you see me, you don’t hide your disgust. When you hit me, you didn’t hold back, all because you thought I was poor. Now that you see I have money, you suddenly change your tune to curry favor with me. You’ve truly embodied the essence of opportunism!

“You called me shameless, yet after squeezing every ounce of value out of me, you threw me out without hesitation. Do you have any shame?

“You said I was disgusting, but compared to me, the daughter who always gave and sacrificed, you’re the ones who are disgusting, only knowing how to take.

“You accuse me of being petty, but who can outdo you all in pettiness?“